Donna Fletcher – Read Books Online Free Ebooks good best novels to read

Donna Fletcher – Read Books Online Free Ebooks good best novels to read http://www.books2020.com Sat, 28 Feb 2026 17:33:06 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 http://www.books2020.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/favicon.png Donna Fletcher – Read Books Online Free Ebooks good best novels to read http://www.books2020.com 32 32 Beneath The Hunter’s Shadow (The Realm of War & Whispers #1) Read Online Donna Fletcher http://www.books2020.com/beneath-the-hunters-shadow-the-realm-of-war-whispers-1-read-online-donna-fletcher Sat, 28 Feb 2026 17:33:06 +0000 http://www.books2020.com/beneath-the-hunters-shadow-the-realm-of-war-whispers-1-read-online-donna-fletcher Genre: Alpha Male, Fantasy/Sci-fi, Paranormal Authors: Donna Fletcher Series: The Realm of War & Whispers Series by Donna Fletcher
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Total pages in book: 109
Estimated words: 103333 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 517(@200wpm)___ 413(@250wpm)___ 344(@300wpm)

<<<<1 2 3 11 21 >109

She was never meant to be hunted.
He was never meant to care.

Elara lives quietly among ink-stained pages and forest paths, recording the secrets of plants so healers may tend the sick. But she carries a secret of her own—one she does not fully understand—and discovery could prove fatal.
Until the king’s Hunters come.

They sweep across the Highlands in search of a powerful healer, seizing any believed to possess forbidden gifts. Elara flees to warn others of the danger, but the roads are no safer than the king’s grasp. When a stranger appears on the path, offering guidance through lands thick with rumor and unrest, she is wary. Yet the man is relentless in his insistence—and soon she finds herself with an unexpected traveling companion.
As war threatens the kingdom and Elara’s secret grows stronger, their forced alliance deepens into something neither anticipated. In stolen glances and quiet confessions, in the brush of hands and the weight of shared silence, love begins to take root.

Until truths are revealed.
In a realm where magic is feared and loyalty is everything, one choice could destroy them both.
Because beneath a Hunter’s shadow, love is the most dangerous risk of all

*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************

Chapter One

Caerith Castle

Kingdom of Scotara

Home of the King

The storm had prowled the castle walls all night. Wind pressed at the shutters, whispering down the chimneys, carrying the scent of rain and something older, earth, ash, the faint tang of iron.

The Hunter waited in the war room, knees stiff from the cold and age, eyes fixed on the flicker of torches that refused to burn steadily. Water dripped from his cloak silently as though fearful of making a sound and disturbing the man who lingered in the shadows, not saying a word since the Hunter’s arrival, but keeping intent eyes on him. So intense that it felt like his gaze was stabbing him in the back.

When the door finally opened, the hunter straightened, tall and proud, but the man in the shadows didn’t move.

King Dravic entered without a word. His regal bearing and taut expression cautioned a grim mood. He was displeased and any sensible man would avoid him, but the Hunter had no choice. He’d been summoned and no one in the Kingdom of Scotara would dare deny the king when summoned.

He crossed to the table where maps lay strewn, ink on the older ones smudged like old blood. He studied them for a long moment, the silence stretching thin. The only sound was the storm’s restless breath pressing against the shutters.

Without looking up, he said, firmly, “You fail me, Hunter. Why?”

The Hunter kept his head high. “We have searched relentlessly, my king. No one knows such a woman, though they have heard of her… a tale, a myth or so they claim.”

“Or they hide her,” the king said, lifting his head, his eyes locking on the Hunter. “Keep her extraordinary abilities for themselves.”

Hunters were known for their remarkable skills, their ruthlessness, and their allegiance to the king. Drums often announced their arrival, causing people to run, hide, or escape. But there was no escaping the Hunters. They always got their prey. Even the bravest men locked their doors at the sound of distant drums. They were feared by all and feared none… except the king.

He had an iron, unyielding presence about him that demanded obedience and the skill and strength to see it done. He had led his warriors into many battles, the sight of him alone charging at his enemy with a beastly roar, was enough to cause his enemies to flee.

“A healer who can battle death itself is probably nothing more than many have claimed, a myth, a tale to entertain,” the Hunter said.

The king glared at him. “Unless she hails from Driochmor.”

The Hunter gripped the stone talisman that hung from a leather strip around his neck and spoke in almost a whisper as if fearful of the words. “The forbidden land where dark magic dwells.”

“How else would the healer be able to vanquish death itself if not by magic,” the king contended.

The Hunter shook his head. “The healer couldn’t possibly be from the forbidden land. None leave that area and those who foolishly enter it are never seen again. To have such exceptional healing skills, the healer must hail from one of the villages in Leighfeld, home of the healers.”

“Have you scoured all of Leighfeld?”

“Aye, my king.”

“I have never known Hunters to fail at a given task. Your kind have served me well and those before me.”

The Hunter’s voice held steady. “And we will continue to do so, my king. Failure is not an option for a Hunter. We always get our prey.”

“And yet… the healer has not been found.”

A log in the hearth cracked, scattering sparks across the stone floor.

“My men gather healers of note now,” the Hunter said. “Those who might work wonders. As you ordered, they will be brought here to Caerith, to you. Hunters hunt and capture, kill, if necessary, but drawing truth from the unwilling is best left to one with your… persuasion. Among them, I am certain, one will confess what the others hide.”

The king studied him for a long moment. “And persuade them I will. When can I expect their arrival?”

“Hunters already swarm on the villages, so a day at most for the first ones captured to arrive.”

The king gave a brief nod. “I look forward to their arrival. Tell me, Cadmus, have you had any trouble with the regional chieftains? Some fail to remember the regions they rule belong to me, not them.”

“A reminder of that usually has them cooperating when necessary.”

“You will leave names of those who attempted to thwart your efforts in any way with Tavish,” the king ordered.

The Hunter dipped his head and waited for permission to take his leave.

“One more thing, Cadmus,” the king said. “News has reached me that a spy from Drogath has landed on our shores. I need not remind you that whispers of war with Drogath have started.”

“Aye, my king, and the whispers spread rapidly,” Cadmus confirmed, relieved the king was finally addressing him by his given name, a sign that his anger had abated.

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Advertisement The Dominant Warrior (Highland Wishes Trilogy #3) Read Online Donna Fletcher http://www.books2020.com/the-dominant-warrior-highland-wishes-trilogy-3-read-online-donna-fletcher Thu, 25 Dec 2025 22:08:15 +0000 http://www.books2020.com/the-dominant-warrior-highland-wishes-trilogy-3-read-online-donna-fletcher Genre: Alpha Male Authors: Donna Fletcher Series: Highland Wishes Trilogy Series by Donna Fletcher
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Total pages in book: 55
Estimated words: 50898 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 254(@200wpm)___ 204(@250wpm)___ 170(@300wpm)

<<<<1 2 3 11 21 >55

Three warriors. Three reckless wishes. One woman who refuses to yield.

Lord Rhodes wished to be the most powerful warrior alive, unbeatable, obeyed, and feared by all. The wish was granted… far too well.

Now, no man dares challenge him. No voice rises against him. His command is law. But the clan grows restless for him to wed, produce heirs, and secure its future.

Tired of the same old refrain, Rhodes silences them with a bold claim… he’ll marry the next woman who walks into the great hall.

Enter Fawn.

Fierce, determined, and wholly unimpressed by the laird or his power, she has come to tell him to stop overhunting the forest, that he has livestock aplenty. She says it without a hint of fear and with a black kitten tucked in her arm, the little creature scooting out from beneath a table to claim her as his own.

Rhodes declares, there and then, she will be his wife.
Fawn declares him insane.

But when trouble brews, talk of witches stir, and long-buried secrets rise, Fawn finds herself bound to the very man she swore she’d never wed. And Rhodes, for all his strength, begins to realize that real power isn’t in domination… but in winning the trust and love of a woman who will not be tamed.

Because in the Highlands, love is the one battle even the strongest warrior can’t win by force

*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************

PROLOGUE

The crackling campfire cast flickering shadows upon the towering pines, their dark silhouettes stretching toward the starlit sky. The scent of burning wood mingled with the lingering metallic tang of blood and sweat, remnants of the battle waged earlier that day. Victory had been theirs, hard-fought and well-earned, and now, beneath the vast Highland sky, three warriors sat in the hush of the night, the weight of their deeds pressing upon them even as they drank to their triumph.

A chill threaded through the air, the kind that seeped into weary bones after a day spent beneath steel and fury. The ground was damp, autumn’s creeping breath curling mist through the underbrush, where unseen creatures scurried. Owls hooted in the distance, and now and again, the faint rustle of leaves hinted at movement beyond the fire’s glow. The woods held secrets, as they always did, but on this night, they merely listened, bearing witness to the idle musings of men who had danced too often with death.

Declan stretched out his long legs, his boots scuffing against the packed earth, and took a hearty swig from his flask. The firelight caught on the fresh cut along his cheek, a trophy from the day’s battle. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and exhaled, his breath a faint ghost in the crisp air.

“Tell me this,” he said, his voice rough but rich with the satisfaction of survival. “If you could have one wish—one thing, granted without question—what would it be?”

Raff, broader than the other two and with a devil’s glint in his eye, let out a low chuckle. He poked at the fire with a stick, sending a shower of embers spiraling upward. “A wish, aye? Well, that’s easy. I’d wish for a life of complete freedom. No battles, no wife clucking over me, no responsibilities. Just me and the wind, coming and going as I please.” He grinned. “A man ought to answer to no one but himself.”

“A selfish wish,” Declan noted, though there was no judgment in his tone.

Raff shrugged. “Mayhap. But I’ve seen too many men shackled by duty, by love, by burdens they do not ask for. Not for me.”

Declan leaned back against a fallen log, rolling his flask between his hands. His dark gaze lingered on the fire, the flames reflecting in his eyes. “I’d wish to never have to search for a woman,” he mused. “I tire of the chase, of the endless games. Let them come to me instead—fall at my feet, even.” A slow smile curved his lips. “And only the bonniest ones at that.”

Raff snorted. “That’s a dangerous wish. Women have ways of tangling a man up whether he seeks them or not.”

Declan laughed, lifting his flask in a mock toast. “Then let me be tangled, so long as they come willing.”

“What about you, Rhodes?” Raff asked. “What would you wish?”

Rhodes, the quietest of the three, tilted his head back, considering the stars peeking through the canopy of autumn leaves that had yet to fall. The firelight played over the sharp angles of his face, deepening the shadows beneath his eyes. He did not answer immediately, and when he did, his voice held a weight the others had not. “Power,” he said at last. “I would wish for the power to dominate, so much so that no one would ever dare to confront me. Unbeatable in battle, feared by all, and always victorious.”

Delcan gave a low whistle. “A grand wish, that one.”

“Aye,” Raff agreed. “But what happens when there is no one left to defeat?”

“That’s the sad part,” Rhodes said. “There’s always someone who wants to fight.”

The fire popped, sending another wave of sparks into the air, their light swallowed quickly by the night.

The wind shifted then, carrying a whisper through the trees. A voice? Or merely the rustling of branches? The warriors tensed, hands drifting to their weapons out of habit, though no threat revealed itself. And yet, the air felt different, charged with something unseen, something watching.

From the shadows, a figure emerged, cloaked in darkness, its form shifting like smoke, as if it did not belong to the world of men. The flames did not touch it, nor did its feet make a sound upon the forest floor. But its voice, when it spoke, was deep and knowing, like the echo of ancient things.

“Three wishes,” it murmured, its tone almost amused. “And so, they shall be granted.”

A hush fell over the camp. The warriors, men who had faced death without flinching, felt a prickle of unease as the figure lifted a hand, its fingers curling as though weaving fate itself. The fire flared, casting long, twisting shadows, and then, as suddenly as it had come, the figure was gone.

The night pressed close once more, and yet, something had changed. The warriors sat in silence, the weight of unseen forces settling upon them. The fire burned low, its embers glowing like the last remnants of a dream, or perhaps the beginning of a curse.

<<<<1 2 3 11 21 >55

Advertisement The Irresistible Warrior (Highland Wishes Trilogy #2) Read Online Donna Fletcher http://www.books2020.com/the-irresistible-warrior-highland-wishes-trilogy-2-read-online-donna-fletcher Wed, 19 Nov 2025 18:28:22 +0000 http://www.books2020.com/the-irresistible-warrior-highland-wishes-trilogy-2-read-online-donna-fletcher Genre: Alpha Male Authors: Donna Fletcher Series: Highland Wishes Trilogy Series by Donna Fletcher
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Total pages in book: 46
Estimated words: 43414 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 217(@200wpm)___ 174(@250wpm)___ 145(@300wpm)

<<<<1 2 3 11 21 >46

Three warriors. Three wishes. One woman who refuses to fall for the magic.

Declan of Clan MacCrone made a wish, an arrogant one, he admits. He wanted women to fall at his feet. The wish was granted… quite literally.

Now, wherever he goes, women faint. Trip. Collapse. It’s a spectacle that’s followed him across the Highlands and one his clan could no longer tolerate. Sent to lead a struggling village in need of a chieftain, Declan hopes to escape the worst of the curse. Instead, he meets Aura.

A woman who doesn’t swoon.

Aura is practical, sharp-minded, and far more interested in plants than men. She doesn’t have time for cursed warriors or the strange pull she feels toward the infuriatingly handsome chieftain. But when danger strikes, and rumors swirl, a marriage of convenience becomes the safest path forward, for the village and for themselves.

What begins as a logical arrangement quickly tangles into something neither expected. And as the mystery deepens—an abduction attempt, a whisper of dark magic, a past neither fully understands—Declan realizes that Aura may be the key to unraveling his curse… if he doesn’t lose her first.

Because in the Highlands, love is rarely simple, and every wish has its price

*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************

PROLOGUE

The crackling campfire cast flickering shadows upon the towering pines, their dark silhouettes stretching toward the starlit sky. The scent of burning wood mingled with the lingering metallic tang of blood and sweat, remnants of the battle waged earlier that day. Victory had been theirs, hard-fought and well-earned, and now, beneath the vast Highland sky, three warriors sat in the hush of the night, the weight of their deeds pressing upon them even as they drank to their triumph.

A chill threaded through the air, the kind that seeped into weary bones after a day spent beneath steel and fury. The ground was damp, autumn’s creeping breath curling mist through the underbrush, where unseen creatures scurried. Owls hooted in the distance, and now and again, the faint rustle of leaves hinted at movement beyond the fire’s glow. The woods held secrets, as they always did, but on this night, they merely listened, bearing witness to the idle musings of men who had danced too often with death.

Declan stretched out his long legs, his boots scuffing against the packed earth, and took a hearty swig from his flask. The firelight caught on the fresh cut along his cheek, a trophy from the day’s battle. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and exhaled, his breath a faint ghost in the crisp air.

“Tell me this,” he said, his voice rough but rich with the satisfaction of survival. “If you could have one wish—one thing, granted without question—what would it be?”

Raff, broader than the other two and with a devil’s glint in his eye, let out a low chuckle. He poked at the fire with a stick, sending a shower of embers spiraling upward. “A wish, aye? Well, that’s easy. I’d wish for a life of complete freedom. No battles, no wife clucking over me, no responsibilities. Just me and the wind, coming and going as I please.” He grinned. “A man ought to answer to no one but himself.”

“A selfish wish,” Declan noted, though there was no judgment in his tone.

Raff shrugged. “Mayhap. But I’ve seen too many men shackled by duty, by love, by burdens they do not ask for. Not for me.”

Declan leaned back against a fallen log, rolling his flask between his hands. His dark gaze lingered on the fire, the flames reflecting in his eyes. “I’d wish to never have to search for a woman,” he mused. “I tire of the chase, of the endless games. Let them come to me instead—fall at my feet, even.” A slow smile curved his lips. “And only the bonniest ones at that.”

Raff snorted. “That’s a dangerous wish. Women have ways of tangling a man up whether he seeks them or not.”

Declan laughed, lifting his flask in a mock toast. “Then let me be tangled, so long as they come willing.”

“What about you, Rhodes?” Raff asked. “What would you wish?”

Rhodes, the quietest of the three, tilted his head back, considering the stars peeking through the canopy of autumn leaves that had yet to fall. The firelight played over the sharp angles of his face, deepening the shadows beneath his eyes. He did not answer immediately, and when he did, his voice held a weight the others had not. “Power,” he said at last. “I would wish for the power to dominate, so much so that no one would ever dare to confront me. Unbeatable in battle, feared by all, and always victorious.”

Delcan gave a low whistle. “A grand wish, that one.”

“Aye,” Raff agreed. “But what happens when there is no one left to defeat?”

“That’s the sad part,” Rhodes said. “There’s always someone who wants to fight.”

The fire popped, sending another wave of sparks into the air, their light swallowed quickly by the night.

The wind shifted then, carrying a whisper through the trees. A voice? Or merely the rustling of branches? The warriors tensed, hands drifting to their weapons out of habit, though no threat revealed itself. And yet, the air felt different, charged with something unseen, something watching.

From the shadows, a figure emerged, cloaked in darkness, its form shifting like smoke, as if it did not belong to the world of men. The flames did not touch it, nor did its feet make a sound upon the forest floor. But its voice, when it spoke, was deep and knowing, like the echo of ancient things.

“Three wishes,” it murmured, its tone almost amused. “And so, they shall be granted.”

A hush fell over the camp. The warriors, men who had faced death without flinching, felt a prickle of unease as the figure lifted a hand, its fingers curling as though weaving fate itself. The fire flared, casting long, twisting shadows, and then, as suddenly as it had come, the figure was gone.

The night pressed close once more, and yet, something had changed. The warriors sat in silence, the weight of unseen forces settling upon them. The fire burned low, its embers glowing like the last remnants of a dream, or perhaps the beginning of a curse.

<<<<1 2 3 11 21 >46

Advertisement The Unencumbered Warrior (Highland Wishes Trilogy #1) Read Online Donna Fletcher http://www.books2020.com/the-unencumbered-warrior-highland-wishes-trilogy-1-read-online-donna-fletcher Sun, 12 Oct 2025 20:52:46 +0000 http://www.books2020.com/the-unencumbered-warrior-highland-wishes-trilogy-1-read-online-donna-fletcher Genre: Alpha Male, Fantasy/Sci-fi, Paranormal, Virgin, Witches Authors: Donna Fletcher Series: Highland Wishes Trilogy Series by Donna Fletcher
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Total pages in book: 44
Estimated words: 41044 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 205(@200wpm)___ 164(@250wpm)___ 137(@300wpm)

<<<<1 2 3 11 21 >44

Three warriors. Three wishes. One mysterious woman who never mentioned the cost…

After years of battle and burdens he never asked for, Raff made a simple wish—to be free. Free from war, from duty, and from the complications of love.

The wish is granted… but with a cruel twist.

Now, people look through him as if he doesn’t exist. What begins as a welcome escape quickly becomes a quiet torment. Until one woman looks him in the eye—and sees him.

Ingrid is respected in her village, known for her skill with wool and her sharp wit. She doesn’t believe in curses or nonsense until a stranger stumbles into her life, oddly unnoticed by others, yet impossible for her to ignore. There's something about him that draws her in, something that stirs questions she isn’t sure she wants answered.

Their connection deepens with each shared glance, each lingering moment. But when whispers of witchcraft stir, and a noble’s demands grow dangerous, Ingrid’s world threatens to unravel, and Raff realizes that his so-called freedom may cost him everything he didn’t know he wanted.

Because in the Highlands, even a wish can become a curse, and love may be the only thing strong enough to break it

*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************

PROLOGUE

The crackling campfire cast flickering shadows upon the towering pines, their dark silhouettes stretching toward the starlit sky. The scent of burning wood mingled with the lingering metallic tang of blood and sweat, remnants of the battle waged earlier that day. Victory had been theirs, hard-fought and well-earned, and now, beneath the vast Highland sky, three warriors sat in the hush of the night, the weight of their deeds pressing upon them even as they drank to their triumph.

A chill threaded through the air, the kind that seeped into weary bones after a day spent beneath steel and fury. The ground was damp, autumn’s creeping breath curling mist through the underbrush, where unseen creatures scurried. Owls hooted in the distance, and now and again, the faint rustle of leaves hinted at movement beyond the fire’s glow. The woods held secrets, as they always did, but on this night, they merely listened, bearing witness to the idle musings of men who had danced too often with death.

Declan stretched out his long legs, his boots scuffing against the packed earth, and took a hearty swig from his flask. The firelight caught on the fresh cut along his cheek, a trophy from the day’s battle. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and exhaled, his breath a faint ghost in the crisp air.

“Tell me this,” he said, his voice rough but rich with the satisfaction of survival. “If you could have one wish—one thing, granted without question—what would it be?”

Raff, broader than the other two and with a devil’s glint in his eye, let out a low chuckle. He poked at the fire with a stick, sending a shower of embers spiraling upward. “A wish, aye? Well, that’s easy. I’d wish for a life of complete freedom. No battles, no wife clucking over me, no responsibilities. Just me and the wind, coming and going as I please.” He grinned. “A man ought to answer to no one but himself.”

“A selfish wish,” Declan noted, though there was no judgment in his tone.

Raff shrugged. “Mayhap. But I’ve seen too many men shackled by duty, by love, by burdens they do not ask for. Not for me.”

Declan leaned back against a fallen log, rolling his flask between his hands. His dark gaze lingered on the fire, the flames reflecting in his eyes. “I’d wish to never have to search for a woman,” he mused. “I tire of the chase, of the endless games. Let them come to me instead—fall at my feet, even.” A slow smile curved his lips. “And only the bonniest ones at that.”

Raff snorted. “That’s a dangerous wish. Women have ways of tangling a man up whether he seeks them or not.”

Declan laughed, lifting his flask in a mock toast. “Then let me be tangled, so long as they come willing.”

“What about you, Rhodes?” Raff asked. “What would you wish?”

Rhodes, the quietest of the three, tilted his head back, considering the stars peeking through the canopy of autumn leaves that had yet to fall. The firelight played over the sharp angles of his face, deepening the shadows beneath his eyes. He did not answer immediately, and when he did, his voice held a weight the others had not. “Power,” he said at last. “I would wish for the power to dominate, so much so that no one would ever dare to confront me. Unbeatable in battle, feared by all, and always victorious.”

Delcan gave a low whistle. “A grand wish, that one.”

“Aye,” Raff agreed. “But what happens when there is no one left to defeat?”

“That’s the sad part,” Rhodes said. “There’s always someone who wants to fight.”

<<<<1 2 3 11 21 >44

Advertisement Highlander Lord Of Vengeance (Highland Revenge Trilogy #3) Read Online Donna Fletcher http://www.books2020.com/highlander-lord-of-vengeance-highland-revenge-trilogy-3-read-online-donna-fletcher Tue, 05 Aug 2025 19:55:10 +0000 http://www.books2020.com/highlander-lord-of-vengeance-highland-revenge-trilogy-3-read-online-donna-fletcher Genre: Alpha Male Authors: Donna Fletcher Series: Highland Revenge Trilogy Series by Donna Fletcher
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Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 99593 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 498(@200wpm)___ 398(@250wpm)___ 332(@300wpm)

<<<<1 2 3 11 21 >107

Her husband returns from war victorious… but something about him isn’t right.

Esme dreads her husband’s return. Married only six months, she has already learned to fear Lord Torrance of Clan Glencairn. Cold, calculating, and obsessed with producing an heir, he made it clear she had one duty—to bear his child. When she failed to do so quickly enough, his anger grew sharp, his temper cruel. If she could flee, she would—but there is nowhere he wouldn’t hunt her down. Torrance would never suffer such a humiliation. He would make her pay.

Now, word comes that he is returning home—victorious in battle against Clan MacLeish, their fierce rivalry at last silenced with the downfall of Chieftain Ryland. But with his return comes something far more unsettling than the threat of renewed cruelty. There is something different about him. Subtle shifts. Small things. A glance that lingers too long. A touch too unfamiliar. A man who looks like her husband… but isn’t quite the same.

Confused, uncertain, and curious, Esme begins to question everything. What truly happened on that battlefield? Did her husband walk away the victor—or did someone else take his place?

As whispers of betrayal stir and enemies draw near, Esme must face the the man she married may not be the man he claims to be. But in his arms, she finds a kind of safety she’s never known—and a passion she never dared to want.

When vengeance burns hot and love dares rise from its ashes, who will claim the final victory?

*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************

CHAPTER 1

Asoft knock sounded at the door before it opened.

“Lord Torrance approaches, my lady.”

Esme leaned against the bedpost for support, her legs turning weak. She acknowledged the message with a bob of her head and the servant hurried off.

She feared her heart would pound out of her chest it beat so wildly. It had been so peaceful here without his presence, without the roar of his anger, or the pounding of his fists on a table, or the fear that he would demand her presence in his bedchamber and…

She pushed herself off the bedpost, warning herself that she had to remain strong, that she had no choice. He was her husband and nothing would change that, not even prayer, and she had prayed, but it had been a sinful and selfish prayer.

She had prayed for his death.

Dreadful fear robbed her legs of any strength left in them and she sunk down on the edge of the bed tears threatening her eyes.

Her husband had exceptionally fine features. At first glance, his handsome features captivated. His height stood a good head or two above others, and his fine body was sculpted to perfection. But it was only when one looked past all that that his true nature was revealed—evil.

She had seen it in the way his eyes would narrow, and his lips would curl ever so slightly in pleasure when he issued a punishment. He got enjoyment out of seeing someone suffer and even more pleasure in inflicting the suffering himself. Then there were his subtle threats dropped here and there or his hand that would strike fast for barely a reason.

Memory had her cringing, as if she could feel his hand grab a handful of her hair and yank it hard, stinging her scalp and for what? Because she hadn’t responded to him quickly enough or because she dared to take a step ahead of him, or she spoke too much or not enough. Any reason was good enough to raise his wrath and leave her trembling in fear.

When she received news that her husband would not return right after a victorious battle, she almost wept with relief. She could walk through the village, enjoying the last days of autumn that had already turned cold, speak with whoever she wished without seeking permission from her husband to do so. Smile. Laugh. Sleep. All without an ounce of fear.

She had even worn what garments she pleased, plain and comfortable, not the elaborate ones her husband insisted she wear and that she now wore to please him. Always to please him so as not to give him any reason to lash out at her.

Stay strong, a warning that had become like a prayer to her.

Her mum had told her that a woman’s lot in life was to remain strong no matter what fate dealt her since women had little say in decisions made for them.

Not so the peasants, Esme would argue with her.

Her mum would tell her that their lot was no better. Whether noble or peasant, life was difficult when little choice was left to you.

Esme didn’t want to believe that. She had entered the marriage with hope, believing kindness could make a difference. She learned fast that evil took pleasure in toying and tormenting kindness until it finally retreated and hid in the shadows.

The one thing she wished her mum had been more forthcoming about was the marriage bed. All she had told her was to submit to her husband. To lie there and let him have his way and it would be over soon enough. But that didn’t happen, and she didn’t know what she had done wrong. She closed her eyes, recalling the fearful moment. Her husband had grown so angry at her, she feared he might beat her to death. But it was his tongue that cut as sharp as a knife, and she felt its every slash.

His warning, “Fail me again and you would suffer greatly for it.”

A horn sounded and she spang off the bed. The sound was close, which meant her husband would arrive at any moment and he would bring fear and darkness with him.

She brushed at the few wrinkles on her heavily embroidered tunic, silently reprimanding herself for having sat. Torrance would notice and admonish her for being unkempt. She hurried her hand to her hair to make sure that not a single blonde strand had escaped her neatly plaited hair. She refused to even give thought to her features. Many thought her beautiful, while her husband believed he had gotten stuck with an ugly wife. He insisted that her eyes were too big and the color too blue. He reminded her repeatedly that her mouth was too small, that she barely had any lips, and her nose was too wide.

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Advertisement Intrigued by A Highlander (Highland Revenge Trilogy #2) Read Online Donna Fletcher http://www.books2020.com/intrigued-read-online-a-highlander-highland-revenge-trilogy-2-read-online-donna-fletcher Mon, 21 Apr 2025 22:20:01 +0000 http://www.books2020.com/intrigued-read-online-a-highlander-highland-revenge-trilogy-2-read-online-donna-fletcher Genre: Alpha Male, Funny, Virgin Authors: Donna Fletcher Series: Highland Revenge Trilogy Series by Donna Fletcher
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Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 91416 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 457(@200wpm)___ 366(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)

<<<<1 2 3 11 21 >96

It was a simple mission… until it wasn’t.

Knox is a man of few words, and what little there is to tell, he keeps to himself. Sold to mercenaries at the age of eight, his life has been nothing but a cycle of relentless battles and endless training. Women have always been within his reach, drawn to his striking looks, yet none have ever truly held his interest. All he seeks is a small piece of land to live out his days in peace. It’s a simple dream, but one that feels impossible… until an unexpected proposal changes everything.

To earn the land he so desperately craves, Knox must find Lord Torrance’s elusive half-sister, Autumn, and bring her to him. The task seems straightforward enough for a seasoned warrior, and once it’s done, he’ll have a place to call home. But what starts as a simple mission quickly becomes much more complicated.

When his search leads him to Clan MacLeish, Knox seeks the help of Dru, a cunning thief with a reputation for knowing everyone’s secrets. Their paths cross in an unexpected—and rather inconvenient—situation, forcing Knox into a hasty marriage with the petite and sharp-witted woman. Desperate to be free of their union, Dru agrees to a bargain… help him find Autumn, and in return, Knox will release her from the marriage.

As they set out on their dangerous journey, it becomes clear they’re being hunted, with a deadly foe stalking their every move. Together, Knox’s strength and Dru’s indomitable spirit see them through the mounting dangers. But as Knox repeatedly saves Dru from her own bold decisions, they both realize that love has quietly bloomed between them.

When a shocking secret is finally revealed, it threatens their future together, posing a danger more perilous than they ever imagined.

*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************

CHAPTER 1

Dru mumbled as she walked through the woods to the loch, mimicking Mother Abbess. “You know the rules, Dru. Wash the stink off you, every part of you or you cannot stay here.” She glanced at the offensive chunk of soap in her hand that would rob her of her only defense—the stink she wore as a shield.

No woman traveled alone through the Highlands. That she would meet with danger was guaranteed. Her situation had left her no choice and the only way she could stay safe while traveling was to smell foul enough so that no one would come near her. Of course, there were those occasions where some smelled worse than she did, but she had managed to avoid such situations thus far.

Winter brought its own difficulties with life on the road, and she was grateful to Chieftain Ryland of Clan MacLeish for allowing her to shelter with his clan throughout the winter. That was where she would be now with winter only a few weeks away, if a mercenary wasn’t searching for her.

Knox was his name, a sizeable man from what she heard, and he was on a mission for the vicious Lord Torrance of Clan Glencairn. Knox was to find Lord Torrance’s half-sister, Autumn. Rumors circulated about why Torrance wanted Autumn to be brought to him and none proved safe for the woman. Most speculated that she would either meet with an unfortunate accident or Torrance would arrange a marriage that would benefit him and could prove dangerous for Autumn. Knox intended to seek Dru’s help in finding Autumn since she picked up information living her life on the road that could not be easily found by most.

However, she had no desire to help Knox with his task. Lord Torrance was a dreadful man, and she wanted nothing to do with him. Because of that, her only recall for surviving the winter was to seek refuge at Cramond Abbey. The only reason Mother Abbess allowed her to stay now and again without any thought of her making it permanent and taking vows was because of the many favors she had done for the abbey. The strict rules and endless confinement weren’t to her liking, but there was much about life that wasn’t to her liking, and she had learned at an early age to adapt, when necessary, but to never surrender completely.

So, she would wash her sink away for now and outwait Knox. He had a mission to complete, and he couldn’t waste his time continuing to look for her. He would be on his way soon enough, and then she would return to Clan MacLeish to winter there.

She hurried the rest of the way to the loch, eager to be done with her task since the water would be cold. She placed the clean, brown novice robe on a low tree branch and gave a quick glance around to make sure no one lurked about. Then she hurried out of her garments and her worn boots and, gripping the soap, she rushed into the loch.

She gasped and shivered, the cold water rushing around her and she rushed to wash herself, her shivers growing worse. Once lathered, she submerged to quickly rinse herself off but found it difficult in shallow water so she ventured a bit deeper to hurry and see it done more easily. Her mum had taught her to swim at an early age, so she had no fear of drowning like most did.

The deeper water made it easier to get the soap out of her hair and she hurried to surface and leave the loch behind when she bumped into something hard. She gave whatever it was a good kick to swim away, but something locked onto her leg. She tried not to panic. Panic would do no good. She had to free herself or risk being pulled under and drowned. She reached for whatever it was that had caught her leg to rip it off only to discover it was a hand. The hand released her leg quickly but grabbed her wrist and yanked her hard. She smashed into a body that felt as hard as stone, then in the next second, she found herself tucked under an arm and lunged up out of the water.

Dru coughed and spattered and was surprised to hear a concerned voice ask, “Are you all right?”

She pushed soaking wet strands of her hair off her face to see a massive, muscled chest, the bottom half of him submerged, her eyes followed up to the most breath-catching male face she had ever seen, intense, dark brown eyes and his light brown hair streaked by the sun.

Her first thought was, Please don’t let it be him.

The need to get away from him, fearing it was Knox, the man she was trying to avoid, had her ordering, “Put me down!”

<<<<1 2 3 11 21 >96

Advertisement Pepper the Biker & the Vanishing Body Read Online Donna Fletcher http://www.books2020.com/pepper-the-biker-the-vanishing-body-read-online-donna-fletcher Mon, 10 Mar 2025 19:23:19 +0000 http://www.books2020.com/pepper-the-biker-the-vanishing-body-read-online-donna-fletcher Genre: Alpha Male Authors: Donna Fletcher Advertisement

Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 97032 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 485(@200wpm)___ 388(@250wpm)___ 323(@300wpm)

<<<<1 2 3 11 21 >103

Where did the body go and who looted the mausoleum?

When Pepper and Ian stumble across a body in a looted mausoleum, they're ready to roll up their sleeves and dig into the mystery. Except…poof! The body pulls a Houdini. One minute it’s there, and the next? Gone without so much as a “ta-da!”

Where did it go? Who was it? Was the guy even, you know, dead? And just who’s been treating the crypt like their personal treasure chest? Things only get weirder when the body reappears—and promptly vanishes again. Talk about playing hard to get.

But let’s not forget, this is Willow Lake, PA. Mysteries here never come solo. While Pepper’s trying to keep up with the disappearing corpse, her mom is diving headfirst into the mayor’s race, wielding more campaign drama than a reality TV show. Meanwhile, Pepper’s brother Josh seems to be navigating his own love triangle—will it be Kate from Yesterday’s Treasures or will his competition, Burke, win her hand? And speaking of family, Kelly, Pepper’s sister-in-law, is about to pop with baby number one, meaning chaos is just one contraction away.

And because this isn’t complicated enough, a motorcycle gang rolls into town, and their leader, Cougar, seems to have taken a…special interest in Pepper. Is he flirting or fishing for info? Either way, it’s hard to trust a guy named after a big cat.

With interest in the Willow crypt growing, bodies pulling disappearing acts, and trouble brewing faster than Willow Lake’s gossip, Pepper and Ian are in for a wild ride. Buckle up and come join the gang for another zany, laugh-out-loud mystery—because in Willow Lake, the only thing crazier than the cases are the people solving them

*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************

CHAPTER 1

“Tales from the Crypt.”

“Now there’s a spooky thought,” Ian said “Some of those shows frightened me senseless when I was young. So, Pep, does that reference mean you’re too frightened to find out why the mausoleum door is ajar and no one is around?”

“Are you kidding?” I asked, and Ian’s gorgeous grin told me he was doing just that, teasing me, and curiosity had me walking toward the Willow family crypt.

“It’s a perfect setting for the opening of a book,” Ian said as he walked beside me. “The eerie silence, moss gathered on weathered tombstones,” —he gave a quick glance overhead— “dark foreboding clouds, and a creeping mist in the far corner of the cemetery that could devour us at any moment.”

I stopped and looked around the area before my gaze returned to the mausoleum. It suddenly seemed taller and more ominous, ivy clinging to the stone as if keeping it prisoner. The wrought-iron fence encircling it looked equally imprisoning. Though the gate was firmly closed, the door stood ominously ajar. A flicker of doubt crossed my mind about going inside. Only a flicker.

“Let’s go and see what the opening scene reads like,” I said.

Ian grabbed me playfully around the waist and hugged me, “I love your adventurous soul.” His smile turned into light laughter. “Though more so when you’re with me since you can be far too dangerous on your own.”

I went to argue, then realized he was right and was teasing me once again. I wiggled out of his hug, though I would have preferred to stay there, then I took hold of his hand and tugged him along with me. I still found it difficult to believe that Ian and I were a couple. He is a gorgeous romance book cover model, tall and cover-model hunky, and I’m a prepper, skinny, not by choice but by nature, and I am all of five feet four inches, and yet we fit perfectly together but that’s because we have shared interests. We both love old suspense and mystery movies and ditto with old books. And did I mention he’s from Scotland and has a Scottish brogue, not too heavy thankfully since I would not understand a word he said. How we work so well together I don’t know, but I am sure glad we do.

“Cue the thunder.” Ian teased, as we reached the mausoleum.

A crack of thunder rumbled overhead, and we froze.

“Now you’ve gone and done it,” I warned. “We’re bound to find a dead body in there.”

“There are probably several dead bodies in there, Pep. It’s a family mausoleum.”

“I mean a body that doesn’t belong there, wise guy.”

He planted a quick kiss on my cheek. “We’ve watched too many suspense films lately. It’s probably just a caretaker or visitor who forgot to lock up. Let’s check it out and then let the cemetery staff know. We may have to leave after that⁠—”

“But we haven’t visited your Uncle Max’s grave and my Aunt Effie’s grave yet, our reason for coming here in the first place,” I protested.

Ian pointed to a spot on the road that wound through the cemetery.

“Oh, I forgot we got here on your motorcycle.”

His Harley was a sleek beauty, and I had to admit I enjoyed riding on it with him. He even looked the part of a biker in his black leather jacket, though it was mostly for a photo shoot. A famous romance author had commissioned a series of motorcycle club covers, and I loved the temporary tattoos he was sporting for them.

“The sun was shining when we left and there’s no call for rain,” Ian said.

“Except you said cue the thunder,” I reminded.

Ian chuckled. “Ah dinnae have that much power, Pep.”

“We need to rewrite the scene,” I said and proceeded to do just that. “The sun shined brightly as the couple emerged from the mausoleum.”

“And the day turned as beautiful as the woman,” Ian added.

“We’re not writing a romance,” I reminded, his soft smile making my heart thud and darn if that didn’t sound like a scene out of one of the romance books Amy, my best friend since kindergarten, devoured.

“We could,” he said with a wicked glint in his eye.

“Who gets to write the love scenes?” I asked playfully.

He grabbed me around the waist and plastered me against him. “We write them together.”

Okay, I admit it, my stomach fluttered with that one.

Ian went to kiss me and stopped, both our eyes narrowing.

“Was that the wind or a groan?” I asked, having heard something but not sure what it was.

“Let’s check this mausoleum out and get done with it,” Ian said and took the lead, keeping hold of my hand.

Okay, I admit it. I inched forward with some trepidation to the mausoleum after hearing what sounded like a groan. After all ghosts do groan, not that I ever met one, but there is a first time for everything.

<<<<1 2 3 11 21 >103

Advertisement Sexual Appetites of Vampires (Sexual Appetites of Unearthly Creatures #1) Read Online Donna Fletcher http://www.books2020.com/sexual-appetites-of-vampires-sexual-appetites-of-unearthly-creatures-1-read-online-donna-fletcher Fri, 06 Dec 2024 20:23:52 +0000 http://www.ilovenovels.com/sexual-appetites-of-vampires-sexual-appetites-of-unearthly-creatures-1-read-online-donna-fletcher Genre: Alpha Male, Fantasy/Sci-fi, Paranormal, Vampires Authors: Donna Fletcher Series: Sexual Appetites of Unearthly Creatures Series by Donna Fletcher
Advertisement

Total pages in book: 51
Estimated words: 47359 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 237(@200wpm)___ 189(@250wpm)___ 158(@300wpm)

<<<<1 2 3 11 21 >51

Lara Bennett intends to only take a few minutes of Michael Valaine’s time. But then she only has a few minutes since a snowstorm is about to hit the area. She’ll interview him, ask him a few questions about his family’s strange heritage and be on her way before the first snowflake falls.

Things don’t go as planned for Lara. First, Michael Valaine is a drop-dead gorgeous man and second, and most importantly, he claims to be a vampire. She assumes he’s either annoyed with her for her impromptu interview or he’s crazy, either way she wants out of his home and away from him.

A blinding snowstorm stops her from leaving and she’s faced with the prospect of riding it out with either a crazy man or a vampire. That is until Michael’s eyes begin to glow red, his lips draw back in a snarl, and his fangs descend.

Lara’s about to find out, firsthand, the information she came looking for...exactly what is the sexual appetites of vampires?

*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************

CHAPTER 1

It was much too dark, the night much too cold, and Lara too unfamiliar with her surroundings. She hurried along the street, the cold air nipping at her nose and cheeks. She pulled her red, black, and white plaid scarf up over her chin determined to find what she was looking for. The shops on Main Street were near to closing in the quaint Village of Mull. She scanned the street signs as she got close enough to read them. The librarian had told her that the book shop was off Main on Juniper. She should have waited until morning, but she was anxious to gather what information she could as quickly as possible, since a major snowstorm was headed this way. She wanted to be home on the Jersey Shore before it hit, tucked away in her nice cozy cottage where she could start on the chapter she’d been invited to write.

She had been surprised when Vera Duluth, an executive editor with a top publishing company in New York city, had called—not e-mailed—but actually called to speak with her in person. Vera Duluth had this wonderful idea for a book and was searching for writers who would embrace the topic with their hearts and souls. And Vera believed Lara would be perfect to write the chapter on vampires.

Vera claimed to be an avid fan of Lara’s successful blog I’m Not That Gullible, or Am I? To Lara’s surprise her blog had become popular practically overnight. She had tens of thousands of followers who religiously read and posted comments daily. The unbelievable had always fascinated Lara and research had been another interest of hers. Add to that her endless curiosity, though her dad called her his nosey one, and it was inevitable that her blog was born.

While the invitation to write for a major publisher sounded inviting, the premise of the book was another matter. It wasn’t a chapter on simply vampires Vera was looking for, but rather a specific area concerning vampires, and the chapter title said it all...Sexual Appetites of Vampires.

Vera had gone on to explain how she was hiring topnotch writers for each and every chapter of the book titled Sexual Appetites of Unearthly Creatures: Fiction, Fantasy or Fact? Vera had also intimated that if the book did half as well as she suspected it would, they would then talk about a contract for single title books from Lara.

It was an enticing offer, though she was doing quite well on her own and wasn’t even sure if she would have the time to write a book. With her various social media accounts growing daily, advertises were coming out of the woodwork to be on her site, publishers included. Sales for the e-books she had complied from her various blogs were doing great, enabling her to do some traveling to research the unbelievable and provide a variety of interesting topics.

In the end, it wasn’t the fact that Vera had made her a generous offer to write the chapter or the possibility of more books to come that had her accepting. It was when Vera had dangled the enticing fact that the Village of Mull in upstate New York near the Canadian border was believed, as legend claimed, to have been founded by vampires that had actually sealed the deal.

Lara certainly didn’t believe in vampires, but the information she could get from such a place would give her tons of material for her blog. And with the publishing house footing the bill for her trip, how could she say no?

She also figured that somewhere buried beneath the folklore she would find some beguiling tales about seductive vampires, providing her with material for the chapter. To Lara it was a win-win situation. The only problem was that the winter weather was refusing to cooperate. Vera had hired a car service to deliver her to the Village of Mull and the driver would return for her in three days. With the approaching storm, it had been necessary to change it to two days, and she had wasted most of today at the library with Madge, the librarian who had never heard such a ridiculous tale that Mull was founded by vampires. After scouring the shelves for any hint of such a myth, she had given up and had cajoled the temperamental Madge into confiding that the village had worked hard at burying the insane tale, fearing they would suffer a never-ending string of crazies descending on them. They much preferred to keep the quaintness and quiet of their small town. Lara had promised, crossing her heart, that she had no interest in marking the Village of Mull as a haven for vampires. She simply was looking for some information on vampires that she could not find anyplace else. Madge had told Lara that Desmond, the proprietor of Treasures of the Mind Book Shop on Juniper off Main might be able to help her. But Madge had also and, with some reluctance, suggested that Lara speak to Michael Alexandru Valaine, a descendent of the original founders of Mull.

<<<<1 2 3 11 21 >51

Advertisement Sexual Appetites of Werewolves (Sexual Appetites of Unearthly Creatures #2) Read Online Donna Fletcher http://www.books2020.com/sexual-appetites-of-werewolves-sexual-appetites-of-unearthly-creatures-2-read-online-donna-fletcher Fri, 06 Dec 2024 20:23:51 +0000 http://www.ilovenovels.com/sexual-appetites-of-werewolves-sexual-appetites-of-unearthly-creatures-2-read-online-donna-fletcher Genre: Alpha Male, Fantasy/Sci-fi, Paranormal, Vampires Authors: Donna Fletcher Series: Sexual Appetites of Unearthly Creatures Series by Donna Fletcher
Advertisement

Total pages in book: 40
Estimated words: 36641 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 183(@200wpm)___ 147(@250wpm)___ 122(@300wpm)

<<<<1 2 3 11 21 >40

Olivia doesn’t believe werewolves exist. Her belief is about to be challenged.

Olivia Stanton, a rational and dedicated wildlife biologist, has always trusted science over superstition. So, when Langford Publishing proposes an article titled The Sexual Appetites of Werewolves, she’s unimpressed—until she learns it comes with a weeklong stay at the renowned MacMadadh Wolf Preserve in the Scottish Highlands. A longtime dream of hers, the preserve could hold the key to her career.
Wolves are Olivia’s passion, leaving little room for distractions—especially romantic ones. But meeting Laird Tiernan, the handsome owner of the preserve with an equally intense devotion to wolves, sparks an instant, undeniable attraction that neither can deny. Though determined to ignore it, discussing the intimate myths surrounding werewolves only fuels the chemistry simmering between them.

As a light snowfall transforms into an unexpected snowstorm, Olivia finds herself secluded in Tiernan’s castle. There, he reveals a family secret that shakes her to her core. He claims to be a werewolf—and that all the wolves on his preserve are too. She is caught between disbelief and the unsettling possibility that he may be telling the truth. Either way, her stay at the preserve has become far more complicated than she ever anticipated.
With every passing day, Olivia’s growing bond with Tiernan challenges her sense of logic, opening her to a world she never thought possible. Torn between reason and desire, she faces a choice she never thought she’d have to make… stay rational or take a leap of faith and risk her heart to a werewolf.

Author’s note: to find out about Laird Tiernan’s life as a werewolf in 13th century Scotland read Cree & Dawn And The Wolf.

*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************

CHAPTER 1

“Werewolves? You did say werewolves, didn’t you?”

Olivia studied the woman on the computer screen of her virtual morning meeting, Vera Langford, attractive even with the large eyeglasses that hugged the top of her slim nose, and her pinned up dark hair that fell unruly around her face. The oversized burnt orange sweater she wore consumed her slim body and the way she sat with such ease in her chair spoke of confidence. After a messy divorce and being let go as a top editor at a major New York City publishing house, a position she had held for many years, Vera had started over. She dropped her husband’s surname, Duluth, and took back her maiden name, Langford, and a project the publishing house let go with her. Now, she was the owner and top executive editor of an extremely successful boutique publishing company, Langford Publishing, of what only could be described as… unearthly books.

“Yes, you heard me correctly… I did say werewolves,” Vera confirmed. “And who better to write the section on The Sexual Appetite of Werewolves for the book Sexual Appetites of Unearthly Creatures: Fiction, Fantasy, or Facts than a wolf expert.”

Olivia certainly was that. She had degrees in wildlife and forestry conservation, fish and wildlife management and a doctorate in wildlife biology with the majority of her work being done with wolves. She had an impressive resume having done volunteer work since high school at various zoos and with conservation projects. She continued that work all through college, having little time for anything else. Not that she ever complained. It was what she wanted to do. She loved animals and nature, and wildlife conservation gave her that opportunity. But Vera probably knew all that.

“I am a wolf expert, not a werewolf expert,” Olivia corrected, and while she understood the wolves mating process, she certainly was not an expert on their sexual appetites. However, she didn’t say that. She stopped herself from saying more, recalling how there was always someone in the group tour at the wolf sanctuaries she had worked at through the years who asked jokingly about werewolves. Wisely, or to preserve her sanity, she had done extensive research on werewolves and had provided expert responses.

She always ended her talk just as she did now with Vera. “I don’t believe in werewolves.”

“Wait,” Vera urged before Olivia could end the meeting. “Besides the advance for writing the section on Sexual Appetites of Werewolves, you also receive a one-week research trip to Scotland to the MacMadadh Wolf Preserve where you will be the guest of Laird Tiernan of Clan MacMadadh.”

Olivia was speechless, not about staying at a castle but about being able to visit the MacMadadh Wolf Preserve. It was a two-hundred-acre forested wolf preserve that Clan MacMadadh had established with a special permit from the government many years ago. Laird Tiernan’s wolf expertise had been sought concerning the nine wolves from Norway that were recently released into the ancient Caledonian pine forest of Rothiemurchus in the Cairngorms National Park.

Olivia only half listened, knowing there was no way she could turn down this offer. It was really the opportunity of a lifetime. Lord Tiernan was extremely selective of who he allowed to work on the preserve. This could give her a foothold in possibly acquiring a position there. He was believed to be the foremost authority on wolves, and while he had published articles and books on wolves, he seldom traveled for appearances and gave few interviews, preferring the comfort of his home to travel. There was only one problem. She didn’t believe in werewolves.

It was as if Vera read her mind.

“I’m not looking for proof that werewolves exist. Let your imagination take flight along with your knowledge of wolves and give me what you think the sexual appetite of werewolves might be.” She chuckled. “Of course, if you should meet a werewolf then go for it. So, do we have a deal?”

The mighty train wheels grinding to a stop, brought Olivia out of her reverie to get a better view of the lovely Scottish countryside. She couldn’t believe that it was barely two weeks since she had accepted Vera’s offer and hurriedly got her things in order so she would be ready to fly to Scotland. A few more train stops, and she would reach her destination, the small village of Dumford. A car would be waiting to take her to MacMadadh Castle. She was nervous. She would be there a week and within those seven days she hoped to convince Lord Tiernan that she was worth hiring and that she would take any position that might be available.

An elderly woman with a pleasant smile joined her in the car compartment, sitting across from her.

“I am so glad to be on my way home. The city has its appeal, but I’ll take the Scottish countryside over it every time.” The woman chuckled. “I’m Annie MacDougal.”

<<<<1 2 3 11 21 >40

Advertisement Cree & Dawn And The Wolf – A Cree & Dawn Read Online Donna Fletcher http://www.books2020.com/cree-dawn-and-the-wolf-a-cree-dawn-read-online-donna-fletcher Fri, 06 Dec 2024 20:23:05 +0000 http://www.ilovenovels.com/cree-dawn-and-the-wolf-a-cree-dawn-read-online-donna-fletcher Genre: Alpha Male, Fantasy/Sci-fi, Paranormal Authors: Donna Fletcher Advertisement

Total pages in book: 40
Estimated words: 36428 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 182(@200wpm)___ 146(@250wpm)___ 121(@300wpm)

<<<<1 2 3 11 21 >40

A thick, creeping fog envelops Cree, Dawn, and his troop of warriors as they make their way home from a weeklong event hosted by a powerful noble under the king’s patronage. The fog itself poses a challenge, but even more unsettling are the howling wolves echoing through the mist.

Before they can find shelter, the dense fog separates Cree and Dawn from his men. Dawn suffers a fall, leaving Cree to desperately search for safety. His search leads them to Clan MacMadadh, the long-thought-extinct Clan of the Wolf.

With the fog refusing to lift and Dawn needing rest, they are forced to stay. As Cree explores the eerie castle, he is warned not to venture into the fog, where wolves prowl dangerously close to the village. The deeper he digs, the more uneasy he becomes, and when he and Dawn discover claw marks embedded in the wooden floors, a terrifying thought takes root—one born of ancient myths… werewolves.

Trapped by the relentless fog and the ever-present howls, Cree faces a dire question… how will they escape and make it home?

Cree will not tolerate being trapped, and he will stop at nothing to protect Dawn—even if it means facing the leader of a wolf pack head-on.

Author Note: Read more about the Clan MacMadadh werewolves in the present day in Sexual Appetites of Werewolves.

*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************

CHAPTER 1

Cree saw it creeping toward them, ready to devour every last one of them… a heavy cloud of mist. The forest was slowly growing thick with it, and mist was not to be ignored or dismissed when encountered in the Highlands. Even a light mist could prove dangerous, but a heavy mist could prove deadly. They would be forced to stop and shelter until visibility improved or he would chance losing his troop to it. Then it would take time to find them, delaying their return home.

He should have paid heed when the invitation had arrived and sent his regrets, but it had not been an option. It had been a summons disguised as an invite. An influential noble was hosting a week-long event for a consultant to the King, a Lord Coulston, to meet the most powerful Highlanders in the Highlands, and Cree was considered one of them. He was left no choice but to attend and he was given no choice but to bring Dawn along since wives were expected to attend as well, and no excuse would be accepted.

He worried how his wife might fare since she could not speak, having been born without a voice. There was no rhythm or reason to her affliction, she simply could not speak. She made herself heard easily enough, to those familiar with her, mostly through gestures. Strangers, however, were a different matter and many people could be brutal to those different from themselves. She had done surprisingly well, having gained favor with many of the wives and some of the husbands as well. Though he had made it known upon arrival that he kept a firm eye on his wife in case a husband thought to have a dalliance while there, and who better than with a woman who could not voice her objection. He had wanted to bring Beast, their sizeable hound with them, but Dawn worried his attendance might not be appreciated and that he might not be safe.

After giving it thought, Cree had agreed, and Beast had been left home. He had been leery of the event from the start, and after only one day, he had wondered if the event was nothing more than a ruse for the King’s consultant, Lord Clouston, to gather information on the Highland clans. The other Highland chieftains thought the same themselves but only voiced it among themselves.

Cree kept a steady eye on the mist that continued a slow crawl towards them, almost as if it stalked them, waiting for the right moment to pounce on them. He had seen a rise not far off before the mist swallowed it from his view and he knew that at any time the mist could do the same to them… swallow them whole.

“We stop before the mist completely engulfs us and shelter in place until it dissipates,” Cree called out to his troop of two dozen warriors. “Tether yourselves together in case the mist rushes over us, so we do not get separated. Hand the end of the rope to me when done and listen for my command.”

The warriors hurried to obey, their eyes remaining watchful and concerned about the thickening mist.

Cree kissed his wife’s brow when she tightened her arms around his waist and rested her head on his shoulder. “You are safe, wife, worry not.”

Dawn nodded, letting him know she did not doubt that. She never doubted his ability to keep her safe. He would do anything to see that no harm came to her. But the heavy mist could prove the worst kind of foe since it was unpredictable.

“I will let nothing happen to you,” Cree said, offering her more reassurance.

He had immediately gone to her when he spotted the mist and lifted her off her horse to settle her in front of him on his stallion. He would take no chance of her disappearing into the mist with no voice to call out to him. While she could make some sort of sound to alert him to her location, sound in the mist could be deceiving and she could be lost to him, alone and vulnerable.

“Once you are off this horse, you will not take a step away from me. You will keep your hand locked in mine. I will not lose you to this blasted mist,” he ordered, the thought of such a possibility irritating him.

Dawn tapped his arm once. Once meant aye and two taps meant nay, a gesture they had decided upon shortly after they met. She pressed herself against him and gripped his waist tight, keeping a firm hold on him.

Her gesture alerted Cree to her concern. She realized just as he had the danger of her being separated from him in the mist. If necessary, she had enough sense to clap hard and continuously if they were separated, but would it be enough for him to locate her, and what if she couldn’t clap? What dangers would she face until he reached her?

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